John B. King, Jr. to succeed David Steiner as state's education Commissioner

ALBANY -- The state Education Department's senior deputy commissioner for P-12 education was elected today as the state education Commissioner and President of the University of the State of New York, officials said.

John B. King, Jr. was elected by the New York State Board of Regents Monday during its May meeting.

Prior to joining the state Education Department in 2009, where he led efforts for Regents reform and the successful Race to the Top application, he was a nationally-recognized education leader who founded and led urban public schools which have won acclaim for their success in closing the achievement gap and preparing students to succeed in college, according to a statement released Monday.

His salary as Commissioner of Education and President of the University of the State of New York will be $212,500. King requested that the salary for the position be reduced by 15 percent, from the current $250,000, in recognition of the challenging fiscal environment facing New York State and the state Education Department.

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"For the past two years John King has been at the forefront driving the implementation of every aspect of New York's reform agenda across this state," said Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch. "In that role he has won deep respect from teachers, school leaders, superintendents and policy makers for his results-oriented leadership and a style that has consistently brought together diverse groups of stakeholders to achieve consensus around critical reforms for our public schools.

King will succeed David M. Steiner, who announced in April plans to return to his former position as Dean of the Hunter College School of Education. He will be the 14th Education Commissioner to serve the state since the position was created in 1904. He will be the first African-American and first Puerto Rican Commissioner of Education in New York State.

"My life story is about the power of schools to shape lives, even against great odds. Through my experiences as a teacher, as a school leader, and as senior deputy commissioner, working with superintendents, principals, and teachers across this state, I know that all of our schools can be places that ensure our children succeed," said King, the son of New York City public school educators and a product of New York City public schools. He also attended Harvard, Columbia, and Yale.

He lives in Slingerlands with his wife and two children.

A former managing director with Uncommon Schools, a non-profit charter management organization that runs schools like True North Troy Preparatory, King will assume his new post on June 15. Until that time, Steiner will continue to serve as commissioner.